Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan's next helmed by Anees Bazmee goes on floors this January; details inside
Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee reunite for a film starting January 19, 2026, starring Vidya Balan. Produced by Dil Raju, it is reportedly a fresh adaptation of the Telugu hit Sankranthiki Vasthunam.
Last Updated: 05.05 PM, Dec 28, 2025
As 2026 gets underway, a major collaboration is about to take place: Akshay Kumar is getting ready to begin filming director Anees Bazmee's next entertainer. Production is reportedly set to begin in the second half of January, and the duo's high-profile reunion will be the highlight of the year.
Filming schedule
The film's principal photography is scheduled to begin in Mumbai on January 19, 2026, as revealed by journalist Vickey Lalwani. Akshay and Bazmee reunite for this project after their 2011 film Thank You was their last collaboration.
In a recent interview with Mid-Day, the filmmaker spoke highly of the collaboration. The director stated, "There is mutual love and respect between us. When I told him about this film, he was more than happy," which served to confirm the project.
Vidya Balan joins lead cast
Vidya Balan will star opposite Akshay as the female lead, which is a noteworthy casting development. This is their first onscreen collaboration in six years, since Mission Mangal (2019), which was a smash hit. Producer Dil Raju put a stop to previous industry conjecture surrounding the film's principal cast when he confirmed the casting of both actors during a conversation with Lalwani.
The plot may be mysterious, but fans can expect Bazmee's trademark style, which mixes humour with emotional depth. Rumour has it that two strong female characters will be central to the story. While Vidya occupies one of these roles, the identity of the second female lead has not yet been disclosed.
Clarifying "remake" status
The original news said that the film will be a Telugu adaptation of Sankranthiki Vasthunam, which featured Venkatesh. Nevertheless, Raju explained to Lalwani that the Akshay-Anees production is not a "remake per se" when asked about the adaptation's nature. Rather, a screenplay based on the original's "basic concept" has been developed by the makers.
Sri Venkateswara Creations, which is headed by Dil Raju, is producing the film. The production company is currently working on several massive projects to further establish its presence in the Hindi film industry.
FAQs:
Q: When will Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee’s new film start shooting?
A: The film’s principal photography is scheduled to begin in Mumbai on January 19, 2026. The production is set to kick off the year for both the superstar and the director.
Q: Who is the female lead in Akshay Kumar’s upcoming 2026 film with Anees Bazmee?
A: Vidya Balan has been officially signed as the female lead. This marks her first collaboration with Akshay Kumar in six years, following their 2019 box-office hit, Mission Mangal.
Q: When did Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee last work together?
A: The duo last collaborated 15 years ago on the 2011 film Thank You. Their successful history also includes blockbusters like Welcome (2007) and Singh Is Kinng (2008).